CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A U.S. attorney and his office have sued a West Virginia hemp farm for violating the federal Controlled Substances Act.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail reported Saturday that U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart and his office are suing Matthew Mallory of CAMO Hemp WV, and Gary Kale of Grassy Run Farms.
The lawsuit says the respondents purchased hemp seeds in Kentucky and brought them over the West Virginia‘s state line. It says a state pilot program only allows hemp producers to obtain seeds internationally, via the state Department of Agriculture.
Norman Bailey, chief of staff to the state agriculture commissioner, says state laws and regulations are silent as to the source of seeds for participation in the program. He says the department is monitoring the situation and hasn’t yet decided whether to intervene.
